M1 0-20 vs 0-30 ....?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
May 2, 2011
Messages
77
Location
florida USA
My 2014 Mazda3 2.5 l is calling for 0-20 oil for USA/Canada and 5-30 for Mexico. Cars come from the same factory with the same engine . I guess Mexico is a hotter climate than USA so Mazda calls for thicker oil like 5-30... I live in Florida and heat here is more like Mexico than rest of US or Canada so I thought of using M1 0-30 EP or AFE formula . Any idea of what difference in Fuel Economy can be expected between 0-30 and 0-20 ? Also would 0-30 thicker oil restrict some power performance vs lighter 0-20 ???
 
M6ser, I see no reason to use a 5w30 or 0w30. Your car is water cooled so running a thicker oil doesn't really help much if it's hot outside. Remember, you want the thinnest oil possible but the thickest that's necessary.

Mazda specs 0w20 and there are literally millions of those motors using that oil without any problems. I would stick with the 0w20.
 
Thks for your advice, i have used thicker oil in engines calling for 5-30 and engines worked butter smooth and more refined ... so why would same car in Mexico calls for 5-30 ?
Oil viscosity should be left to personal preference of the car owner ?
 
Originally Posted By: M6ser
My 2014 Mazda3 2.5 l is calling for 0-20 oil for USA/Canada and 5-30 for Mexico. Cars come from the same factory with the same engine . I guess Mexico is a hotter climate than USA so Mazda calls for thicker oil like 5-30... I live in Florida and heat here is more like Mexico than rest of US or Canada so I thought of using M1 0-30 EP or AFE formula . Any idea of what difference in Fuel Economy can be expected between 0-30 and 0-20 ? Also would 0-30 thicker oil restrict some power performance vs lighter 0-20 ???
..the thinner 0w20 oils are Not readily available in Mexico...
 
Originally Posted By: M6ser
so 5-30 is fine as a replacement than if mazda recommends it?


Of course! If Mazda says it's okay, then you can use it.
 
Mexico is a developing country. 0w-20,probably hasn't hit the mass market there, plus they don't have CAFE or EPA smog Nazis.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: M6ser
so 5-30 is fine as a replacement than if mazda recommends it?


Of course! If Mazda says it's okay, then you can use it.


If they are recommending it in Mexico why would it not be ok in Florida specially in the summer ?
 
Last edited:
As has been mentioned lack of availability is the reason it's not spec'd in Mexico.
That said there is absolutely no lubrication advantage to using a 0W/5w30 over the specified
0W-20 just disadvantages. Living in Florida may be easier on the engine during cold starts than more northern climes but even a starting a cold engine on a 100F day is still a cold start as far as your engine is concerned and the engine does not require an oil any heavier than a 20 grade at the hottest oil temp's you'll encounter.
So stick with the 0W-20 grade and the knowledge that you're benefiting from the advantages of an advanced lubricant not readily in other countries.
 
catheram , thanks again for great point, i respect your expertise and knowledge .... if i want to make the engine sound less metalic more smooth can I mix 4 quarts of M1 0-20 AFE + 1 quart of M1 0-40 the way you do?
 
The truth is that Mazda specs 5W20 in the U.S. due to marginal benefits on the EPA gas mileage tests. Either oil will be fine.
 
During the warranty period you may like to stay with 0W20, after warranty expired you can mix M1 0W20 AFE or EP with M1 0W40 without problem, especially during hot summer month in Florida.
The ratio of 4 quarts M1 0W20 AFE with 1 quart 0W40 will give you a very thick xW20, borderline xW30.
 
excellent advice, currently my wallymart sells 5 quart jug of M1 0-20 AFE or EP at the same 25.20usd ... what formula would you pick when priced the same?
 
Are you sure that every detail of the powertrain is the same in the US and Mexico? Same weight? Same emissions system? Same ECM and control parameters?
 
Originally Posted By: Ram01
The 0w30 motor oil will run quieter and smoother


What would be fuel economy loss with 0-30 over 0-20 ? Any idea ?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: M6ser
catheram , thanks again for great point, i respect your expertise and knowledge .... if i want to make the engine sound less metalic more smooth can I mix 4 quarts of M1 0-20 AFE + 1 quart of M1 0-40 the way you do?

Firstly your car is spec'd for MGMO 0W-20 which is considerly lighter than AFE so you're already running a heavier oil. Personally I have never noticed increased engine notice running a 0W-20 in fact my experience has been the opposite if anything.
I'd suggest trying the spec' oil first or even TGMO and see if you notice a subjective improvement in sound quality.
 
Yep, go with Mazda Genuine Motor Oil with moly 0w-20, which has something like 4 times as much moly as most motor oils, albeit the dimer moly, not the more efficient trimer moly, that 600 ppm moly is a lot. Idemitsu makes it for Mazda, good stuff.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom